GTA school boards preparing for potential remote learning

With COVID-19 case counts on the rise and the new Omicron variant taking hold in Ontario, the threat of a return to virtual learning is looming.

Several school boards in the GTA have advised parents and students that all belongings should be taken home over the winter break in the event they are not returning to class as scheduled in January.

In a letter sent to parents and guardians, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) advised they have not received direction from the Ministry of Education on a return to remote learning, but are taking steps “out of an abundance of caution.”

“To ensure your family is prepared for any shift to remote learning, be sure your child brings home all of their personal belongings such as shoes or clothing, and any tools or supplies they might need to pivot to remote learning,” reads the letter.

Last week, TDSB spokesperson Ryan Bird said he was not aware that remote learning was being considered. He said the  TDSB is still following the Ministry of Education’s direction to share rapid antigen tests with all students leading into the holidays and then maintaining health and safety measures as usual.

RELATED: Rapid tests ‘useful tool’ to reduce COVID spread in schools: Ontario Science Advisory Table

Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board told CityNews they are also sending a “Christmas Break Reminder Bulletin” to parents on Wednesday. The letter will advise students to bring home all belongings for the break.

“We have also advised that, unless otherwise directed by the Ministry of Education, school will resume for in-person and remote-only learning on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022,” said a spokesperson for the board.

York Region District School Board has advised parents they are moving forward with the plan that schools will be open after the winter break but are still asking students to take everything home.

“We are prepared to move to virtual learning if that announcement is made,” reads the notice from the board.

Parents of students in the Durham Region Catholic District School Board reported receiving similar notices. Last week, Peel District School Board sent out a similar letter to parents advising they were taking precautions despite not hearing anything from the province as of yet.

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The province will provide 11 million rapid antigen tests to students as they leave for winter break beginning December 23. Every student will receive a box of five tests to use every three to five days, on a voluntary basis, allowing for asymptomatic screening before they return in January.

Premier Ford announced Wednesday that 50 million tests will be given out throughout the province, including free tests handed out at LCBO’s.

Ford was asked if a rapid test program was in the works for schools in January — he would only say the province needs to get more tests from the federal government.

A total of 47 schools in the TDSB are now dealing with outbreaks — all of which remain open to in-person classes except Cosburn Middle School, forced to move to virtual learning on Wednesday.

According to the province’s COVID-19 school dashboard there have been nearly 2,700 cases reported in schools in the last two weeks. Almost a quarter of schools in Ontario are currently dealing with at least one case — 47 are currently closed.

Families across the province have sought access to rapid tests throughout the pandemic. Tests are available in areas of high transmission for students with COVID-19 symptoms or considered a close contact of a confirmed case, but they haven’t been made available to all students before the current holiday plan.